Matt Castelli

The definition of grit and determination. LFG Knicks!

Five years ago this weekend, I wrote a piece for CNN about the women and men whose stars are etched into the marble Memorial Wall at CIA Headquarters, including the seven lost in the Khost attack in 2009. Their deaths had a profound impact on me and my counterterrorism career at CIA. They gave their lives in service to this country, and we honor them this Memorial Day.
Much has changed since I wrote the piece. Kabul fell and 13 American service members were killed in the withdrawal. Our Afghan partners were left behind. The great war of our time ended in a way that undermined confidence in our nation’s leaders — confidence that has eroded even further as 15 more American troops have died, this time in a new war with Iran. But the 140 stars on the CIA Wall are still there, and the debt we owe the people behind them and every life lost in service to this country has not changed.
This weekend is for the fallen — those who gave everything in service to our country, in uniform and out of it. I am re-sharing the 2021 article linked below, because the “Stars of Afghanistan” still deserve to be looked upon with gratitude and remembrance.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/29/opinions/fallen-stars-afghanistan-memorial-day-castelli

May is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month. HD is a brain disease passed down in families from generation to generation. HD causes deterioration in a person’s physical, mental, and emotional abilities, and currently has no cure.

In addition to the debilitating effects, the disease takes a tremendous toll on the families and loved ones caring for those with HD - like mine.

Donations to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) this month are match 2x1 and will help provide critical support, education, advocacy, and hope to individuals and families navigating life with HD.

Consider joining me in donating: https://give.hdsa.org/campaign/795993/donate

Last night I attended ’s presentation of his office’s latest report on Camp Nooteeming in Pleasant Valley. The report highlights a growing pattern discovered by the Comptroller’s office of Dutchess County’s gross mismanagement and wasteful spending of tax payer dollars - in this instance to the tune of ~$6M (and growing).

Dutchess is fortunate to have Dan in the Comptroller’s office bringing these issues into the light and better government to our community. was honored to support Dan’s reelection last year.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible Moms, Grandmothers, Stepmoms, and Godmothers. Especially grateful to spend this one with my Mom - Happy Mother’s Day Ma!

Last night I attended the Gala along with my fellow board members to celebrate the vital support Dutchess Outreach provides to individuals and families throughout our community.
Among the honorees was Dave Lowe, a true servant leader who has been a dedicated volunteer with Dutchess Outreach for years - particularly at their Farm Stands. I’ve had the chance to see Dave in action while volunteering alongside my parents at the farm stand and can attest to how fortunate our community is for Dave’s committed service and that of all the volunteers.
Congratulations to Dave, the other honorees, and to Dutchess Outreach.

I rallied with Democrats from across NY this weekend at the Democratic Rural Conference. The DRC represents the majority of counties in NY (47 out of 62) and is a vital force to helping elect Democrats to enhance economic prosperity and quality of life in the local communities that need it most. It was great to see so many strong local executive leaders like my friends Dan Casler (Town Supervisor of Little Falls), (Town Supervisor Harrietstown), (running for Town Supervisor Queensbury), and (running for Putnam County Executive).

These are the kinds of indispensable local executive positions is supporting across NY.

Last week, four astronauts launched a mission to the Moon.
Maybe you watched the countdown. Maybe, like me, you felt something — a recognition that this is what government looks like when it works. When it does the thing it was built to do, at the scale only it can do, in service of something larger than any one of us can achieve.

I’ve been thinking about that feeling ever since. About why it’s so rare. About what it would take to feel it not just for space exploration but for our schools, our infrastructure, our communities — for all the places where government touches ordinary life and too often falls short.

Today I published the argument I intend to spend the next year championing.

Government isn’t broken because there’s too much or too little of it. It’s broken because nobody is demanding better results from it. Democrats need to be honest about our role in that failure — and serious about what fixing it actually requires.

Not more. Not less. Better.

I’d be grateful if you read it and shared it with someone who should.

Not More. Not Less. Better. The Government We Demand